Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,

— Ephesians 3:20

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

— Hebrews 13:5

11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

— 1 Timothy 6:11-12

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls,

18 yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

19a GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights!

— Habakkuk 3:17-19a

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

This world, with its system, simply cannot deliver fulfillment but promotes personal satisfaction as life’s highest goal. A new vehicle, a bigger house, an exciting relationship, a better job, or next shopping excursion provides only fleeting thrills that soon disappear like dust in the wind. When we focus our energy only on what makes our little worlds more pleasant, we simply miss a bigger reason for living. Having more does not guarantee a contented heart.

Only when we fully yield to God’s higher purposes do we experience life’s abundant joy. We can overvalue comfort and too easily give in to complacency. We become busier but find ourselves less satisfied than ever. In a world that celebrates self-absorption, we cannot figure out what really matters to God. Today’s issues easily overshadow the values of eternity. Will we allow life’s demands to dictate our choices or let God direct our path? Let’s keep obeying God the urgency of our life.